ipod posts

iPad Vest Takes Aim at Style

by Ben Deitz (RSS feed) — Feb 3rd 2010 at 7:30AM

It looks like the bandwagon of questionable iPad peripherals is already taking passengers.

Mere days after the device's debut, SeV/SCOTTEVEST has claimed the dubious distinction of "the first & only clothing line with a pocket for the iPad." The company's Travel Vest (for men or women!) features 22 pockets, and can easily carry your iPad, iPod and iPhone; although, sadly, it leaves no room for any fashion sense, or the ability to charge said gadgets.

Tags: apparel, apple, clothing, han solo, HanSolo, ipad, iphone, ipod, SeV, top, vest, viral

iPod

Get Some iRest With iPod touch Sheets

by Amar Toor (RSS feed) — Jan 5th 2010 at 3:30PM

If you've ever stared deeply into your iPod touch's eyes, noticed how the moonlight dances across its touchscreen, and considered taking your relationship to that vaunted "next level," a new bedtime product could help you do just that (not what you're thinking).

Ellos, a Swedish retailer, is now selling a set of bed sheets designed like a giant iPod touch, replete with a touchscreen duvet and matching pillowcase. The duvet, tragically, isn't functional, and it doesn't look like you can add and remove any quilted apps at will. But at least you'll be able to touch your touch in ways you never thought possible. Whether or not the sheets would improve your chances of touching anybody else under the covers, however, is quite another matter. [From: TechEBlog]

Tags: geek chic, GeekChic, home, ipod, ipod touch, IpodTouch, novelty, top

iPod

iPods Don't Really Make You Deaf

by Amar Toor (RSS feed) — Jan 4th 2010 at 8:01AM

Our grandparents always warned us that going outside with a damp head of hair will give us pneumonia, that too much "personal time" would make us go blind, or, more recently, that compulsively listening to our iPod would eventually deafen us. The jury may still be out on the first two, but one U.S. judge has already ruled on the third -- and it sounds like our ear drums are safer than we thought.

That's because Apple has just won a legal dispute over the volume level of its iPods, spurred by complaints that the products were defective because of their superhuman capacity for kickin' out the jams. As the BBC reports, the two plaintiffs claimed that their iPods and their 115 decibel maximum volume levels were responsible for their own hearing loss. Senior Judge David Thompson, however, would have none of it, saying that "the plaintiffs simply do not plead facts showing that hearing loss from iPod use is actual or imminent." He went on to point out that Apple does in fact attach a warning to their iPods, advising judicious volume control.

Tags: apple, david thompson, DavidThompson, ipod, ipods, study, top

Switched Comes to the iPhone and iPod touch!

by Thomas Houston (RSS feed) — Jan 3rd 2010 at 1:00PM

We're barely into 2010 and we've already got some great news: Switched is now available in app form on Apple's App Store!

You get full access to all the features, tech coverage, and galleries you already know and love, as well as offline reading (you can save stories to your iPhone or touch in case your connection drops), sharing via Facebook and Twitter, and easy access to our tech tips and categories. Download the app here (available now), or grab it for free from the iTunes store.

Special thanks to everyone at AOL for creating the app for us. We couldn't have done it without you!

Gallery: Switched iPhone/iPod touch App

Tags: apple, iphone, iphone 3gs, Iphone3gs, ipod, ipod touch, IpodTouch, switched, switched iphone, switched iphone app, SwitchedIphone, SwitchedIphoneApp, top

Audio/Video, iPod

Make Vacuuming 'Fun' With Electrolux's iPod Dock That Really Sucks

by Caleb Johnson (RSS feed) — Dec 13th 2009 at 5:01PM

On the list of "Things We Hate To Do," cleaning house ranks right up there with going to the dentist. If only there was some way to make dusting, scrubbing, or vacuuming more fun... Well, fret not. According to Engadget, Electrolux recently introduced "Silence Amplified" -- a vacuum cleaner that's so quiet you can listen to music while sweeping across the floor. But how will I hold my iPod and vacuum the carpet, you might ask? Well, luckily Electrolux incorporated an iPod dock and a set of speakers into the front of the machine. Problem solved.

But these features aren't just for fun. According to the commercial, listening to music while vacuuming helps you clean more efficiently, and you'll burn more calories using the machine. Mostly because, according to the video below, you just won't be able to resist shaking those hips.

Tags: cleaning, ipod, music, noise, top, vacuum cleaner, VacuumCleaner, weird

iPod, Tech Tips

iPod Battery Myths Debunked

by Jon Chase (RSS feed) — Dec 2nd 2009 at 6:30AM

There's a lot of confusion about the best way to treat an iPod's battery (e.g., Is it better to charge it often, or to fully empty it? Is it okay to leave it charging when it's full?), so here's the official word.

Because the iPod has lithium-ion batteries, it doesn't matter whether you charge it a little bit at a time, or run it down before recharging fully. The battery will last for several thousand full charges (called charge cycles), and at least a couple years; there are many iPods out there that still hold a decent charge despite being several years old.
It doesn't matter if you leave your iPod on a charger after it's fully charged; it has internal circuitry that stops it from overcharging. So leave it on all night and sleep well.
If you leave your iPod in a drawer fully charged, it will drain in about a month. That being said, because the batteries do tend to degrade if they aren't charged with some frequency, it's best to give it some juice every few weeks or so -- even if you aren't using it.
Charging with an AC charger is faster than doing so via a USB cable and computer.
You don't need to instantly charge your iPod's battery upon first purchasing one, nor leave it on a charger for a set period of time. If the battery is full, use it. If it's near empty, charge it if you like, but you don't need to "prime" the battery.

Tags: apple, charging, ipod, ipod battery, IpodBattery, myths, techtip, top

iPod, iPhone

How Apple's Camel Case Hurts the English Language

by Amar Toor (RSS feed) — Dec 1st 2009 at 4:00PM

You may have never really noticed the weird capitalization pattern on iPhones; or perhaps you just thought it was part of Apple's brilliant marketing schtick. In reality, though, this weird mid-word capitalization has been around for a while, and is commonly known as 'camel case' (because of the visual "hump" that a nested capitalized letter gives a word).

Caleb Crain, in a great article for The New York Times, takes a cursory look at the evolution of camel case over the years. While he acknowledges that the practice really exploded after the tech boom, -- which saw a proliferation of software coding that didn't require spaces -- Crain traces the whole history of word spacing. In early Greek and Latin, most books were read aloud by monks so spaces between words didn't exist. When the texts were spoken, they still made sense. Spacing eventually flourished once people figured out it made texts easier for the eye, not the voice, to read. Thus began silent reading, a practice that, as paleographer Paul Saenger claims, "emboldened the reader because it placed the source of his curiosity completely under his personal control."

Tags: apple, camelcase, english, iphone, ipod, language, top

Audio/Video

Floor-to-Ceiling 'Wall of Sound' iPod Dock Would Please Phil Spector

by Amar Toor (RSS feed) — Nov 5th 2009 at 11:01AM

If Stanley Kubrick and the Beastie Boys ever got together and decided to design an iPod dock, it would probably look a lot like the latest monolithic, instant-party machine to hit the market.

Brothers' new 'Wall of Sound' iPod speaker (sharing the name of Phil Spector's legendary production technique heard on classics like the Crystals' 'Da Doo Ron Ron') is the perfect way to intimidate friends and deafen neighbors. Billed as the "most powerful iPod speaker on the market," and "possibly the most powerful speaker of all time," the WOS features 28 elements, a frequency response of 40 Hz to 20,000 kHz, and weighs in at a healthy 225 pounds. But the most striking thing about the WOS is its sheer size. The thing's ginormous; just look how it dwarfs that helpless, trembling iPod sitting next to it. And it's more than a little scary.

That's not to say, of course, that we wouldn't drop the $4,000 it costs on this beast. We totally would. Especially if, as we suspect, the dial goes to 11. [From: Wall of Sound]

Tags: audio, ipod, speakers, top

Tech Tips

Thaw Your Frozen iPod

by Jon Chase (RSS feed) — Oct 20th 2009 at 6:34AM

Impress your less tech-savvy friends by rebooting their seemingly "bricked," or frozen, iPod. For older, click-wheel versions: Toggle the Hold switch from on to off, then press and hold the Menu and Center buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo appears. For iPod Touches and iPhones, simultaneously press the Sleep button (on top) and Home button until the Apple logo appears. (Ignore the option to shut it down and keep holding.) Ta-da! You just saved someone a couple hundies!

Tags: brick, frozen, iphone, ipod, tech tips, techtip, TechTips, top

iPod

Marathon Runner Disqualified for Using iPod During Race

by Caleb Johnson (RSS feed) — Oct 14th 2009 at 2:16PM

In an age when everyone is looking for a competitive advantage, it's getting tougher and tougher for sports' rule makers to draw the line. What exactly is a performance enhancer, anyway? Well, in running, an iPod apparently qualifies.

This morning, Jennifer Goebel was stripped of her first-place finish in Milwaukee's Lakefront Marathon after online photos surfaced showing the 27-year-old listening to an iPod while running the race, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. According to The Sporting Blog, Goebel was in violation of an oft-debated U.S. Track and Field rule that bans headphones or portable music during a race. Understandably, Goebel isn't happy about the ruling. She only used the iPod between miles 19 and 21 of Sunday's marathon. (It should also be noted that Goebel won only because the woman who originally finished first was disqualified for drinking water that a friend had given her during the race.)

Tags: apple, athlete, controversy, ipod, marathon, music, race, running, sports

Audio/Video, iPod

Soldiers' iPods Give Glimpse Into Psyche

by Amar Toor (RSS feed) — Oct 1st 2009 at 6:25AM

With music becoming increasingly accessible, it's now possible to accompany every moment of life with a personalized soundtrack. Not only have iPods and MP3 players pervaded everyday existence, but they've also, not surprisingly, become just as crucial to those most extreme, intense moments -- moments most of us never experience, but which, for soldiers in combat, are the norm.

Such is the backdrop of a recent study by City College of New York music theorist Jonathan Pieslak. For the past few years, Pieslak has interviewed American soldiers about the genres of music that populate their battlefield playlists and the reasons behind their choices. Originally drawn to the subject after reading that, during Desert Storm, 40-percent of the metal band Slayer's fan mail came from soldiers stationed abroad, Pieslak found that soldiers' playlists featured largely aggressive music, like Eminem, Metallica, and Slayer.

Tags: ipod, military, mp3, mp3 player, Mp3Player, research, soldiers, top, war

Audio/Video, iPod

iPod Kegerator Kicks Out the Jams and the Brews

by Caleb Johnson (RSS feed) — Sep 30th 2009 at 3:12PM

Worthy of an appearance on 'MTV Cribs,' this custom-made iPod kegerator combines two things every good party needs -- cold beer and hot jams. According to Bornrich, Craig Jones tricked out a plain old refrigerator for a magazine contest. He stripped the fridge down, installed a Bose iPod dock on the door, added classy blue neon fringe lighting, and gave it a custom paint job worthy of a hot rod. Of course, this beast houses a beer keg, and there's even a handy system that circulates the overflow to keep it fresh.

Although Jones has built a handful of custom fridges, this particular one is designed with the Keystone Light fan in mind. That's really the only downside, too. We understand money is tight these days, and Keystone Light is cheap, but surely Jones could've chosen a better beer. Since our college days of searching couch cushions for change, our taste in beer has matured a little bit. If we wanted to drink swamp water, we'd just get a glass from the kitchen faucet. [From: Bornrich, via Street Level]

Tags: beer, custom, drinking, ipod, keg, music, novelty, refrigerator, top

iPod

Man Arrested After Using New iPod Nano to Peep Up Girl's Skirt

by Caleb Johnson (RSS feed) — Sep 27th 2009 at 9:45AM

Only weeks after Apple unveiled its new iPod Nano, a Japanese man has become the first person to be arrested using the device for an illegal, and creepy, activity. According to Fuckedgaijin, the unidentified Kobe man was arrested after using the new Nano's video camera function to peek up an 18-year-old girl's skirt. While in a bookstore, the peeping-tom somehow hid the iPod in his shoe, and placed it near enough to the unsuspecting girl to get a glimpse.

There's no word on just how this voyeur was caught. Maybe it was just a misunderstanding? After all, maybe he just didn't have any pockets and needed some place to store his iPod? But this story might mean this chain of gyms was onto something when it banned the new iPods on its premises. [From: Fuckedgaijin, via The Awl]

Tags: apple, creepy, crime, dumb criminal, DumbCriminal, ipod, ipod nano, IpodNano, top, video, voyeur

Computers

Caught on Video: Thieves Ransack Apple Store in 31 Seconds

by Caleb Johnson (RSS feed) — Sep 3rd 2009 at 10:37AM

In about the time it takes to send a tweet, five masked men cleaned out a Marlton, New Jersey Apple Store in the wee hours of yesterday morning. It took about 31 seconds for the men to shatter a plate-glass door, sprint inside the store, and collect 23 Macbook Pro laptops, 14 iPhones and 9 iPod touch handhelds, according to The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW). The only way they could've pulled off the heist any faster would be if they'd driven a race car through the store.

There was a security guard on duty during the robbery, but the thieves knew how to work him, too. They motioned at him as if they were holding guns, and, judging by the above video from WPVI-TV in Philadelphia, the guard just cowered in the corner. Who can blame him? Those devices aren't worth his life. Besides, shouldn't Apple install some metal gates in front of those doors? The store front might not look as sleek or hip, but it'd be a lot safer. [From: The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)]

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Weirdest Techie Heists and Scams

Burglars Break Into Restaurant, Steal HDTV, Leave Money / Food Behind
Around Halloween of last year, a truckload of thieves drove into -- that's right, into -- a Pennsylvania Mexican restaurant, where they -- apparently uninterested in the cash register -- stole a mid-grade 47-inch HDTV and fled the scene. We've all heard about how this generation is lacking in ambition, but this generation's thieves, too?

Death of Print

Elle Girl
In April 2006, Elle Girl's print edition was closed down, but the Web site lives on at ellegirl.com.

CosmoGirl
Though it will be folded into Seventeen magazine, the teen version of Cosmopolitan will publish its last print issue in December 2008. It will live on at CosmoGirl.com.

Christian Science Monitor
Founded in 1908 by Mary Baker Eddy, this venerable paper will move all its daily content to the Web starting in 2009, though it will still publish a weekly print version.

Radar Magazine
Was it too snarky for its own good? We'll never know, but this modern-day successor to '80s-era Spy magazine shut down in October. AMI, owner of the National Enquirer, bought RadarOnline.com, however, which will focus on celebrity gossip a la TMZ.com.

US News and World Report
Once a serious competitor to Time and Newsweek, US News and World Report is now best known for its College guides, which it will continue to publish. The weekly newsmagazine, however, will be turned into a monthly, and all daily operations are moving to the Web at usnews.com.

Tags: apple, crime, iphone, ipod, macbook, security, thief, top, video

Audio/Video, Green Tech

Wooden iPod Dock Thinks It's a Bag

by Thomas Houston (RSS feed) — Aug 30th 2009 at 12:25PM

If there's one type of gadget guaranteed to get groans and indifference from gadget heads these days, it's the ubiquitous iPod dock. Aside from inventive docks like the B&W Zeppelin, these mini entertainment centers tend to be plagued by ho-hum design and, let's face it, abysmal sound.

Fortunately, Japanese artist Yoshihiko Satoh is keeping things fresh with the dual-purpose wooden co-Mobile iPod dock. Available in dark wood or maple, this iPod dock is styled to look and also function like a bag, complete with handles for portability (and easy hanging around the home or office). The $335 price tag may be a bit on the pricy side, but nobody said eco-cool comes cheap. [Via: Engadget]

Gallery: Wooden iPod Bag: co-Mobile Speakers

Tags: ipod, portable, top, wood

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Black Friday' Deals to Watch For

Traditionalists might balk, but the holiday shopping season is already underway. Skeptical? Head to your local department store and you'll be inundated by Christmas trees and ornaments. Bargain hunters, though, know that the real deals are more than a month away.

Black Friday, traditionally, is when retailers truly slash prices. Early birds can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars off of their holiday bills. Switched.com checked with a few elves, who gave a sneak peek at what you can expect deal-wise this year.

Blu-ray Players and Movies: Blu-ray is shaping up to be the biggest door buster of this year's Black Friday. de Grandpre expects at least one retailer will offer a Blu-ray player for just $49. Look for bargains on Blu-ray films as well, with last year's hit titles (such as "Iron Man") to fall as low as $5.

Laptops: With the proliferation of Netbooks this year, it's never been easier to find affordable portable computing, but Dan de Grandpre, CEO of DealNews.com says it will get even cheaper on Black Friday. Look for well-equipped Netbooks to sell for $199 – and basic 15" laptops to go for as little as $249.

HDTVs (Pretty big): The holidays are typically the best time to buy a new TV – and Black Friday is the time to do it. If you're looking for a normal sized set, you're in luck. Piper Jaffrey analyst Mitch Kaiser says he expects to see 32-inch LCD sets for as low as $299. GottaDeal.com is estimating 37-inch plasma and LCD sets will fall to $399 or less.

HDTVs (Really big): Need something bigger? How about a 46-47 inch LCD set for $599 – a 25 percent savings? Or a 52-inch LCD for $999? Dealnews says you can expect both. Plasma deals will be a little harder to come by, but a 50-inch set should run roughly $899.

HD Camcorders: You've wanted to shoot your child's school play in HD for a while, but haven't been able to spring for the pricey camcorder. This might be the year. Low-end, flash-based 720p models could drop as low as $60 (though you won't be able to zoom with those). Expect a high quality 1080p HD camcorder for $349.

GPS: While navigation systems have dramatically expanded their reach this year – even making it onto the iPhone – there's still a market for car-based systems. Dealnews predicts you'll be able to find a no-name entry-level system for $49, while a Garmin or Tom-Tom brand will be as low as $69.

Digital Picture Frames: Showcasing your digital pictures consistently gets cheaper. This year, skip the 7-inch screens and focus on the 8- or 9-inch ones, which should be available on Black Friday for as little as $30.

Monitors: Computer monitors might not be the sexiest of gifts, but they're usually welcomed with open arms – and they'll be cheap this year. Name brand 22-inch LCD models may go for as low as $99, while 24-inch models will drop below $150.

Memory: Don't know anyone who needs a monitor? External hard drives are always popular, since they're an easy way to back-up data. Dealnews expects a 1TB drive to fall as low as $49 this year. Gottadeal is looking for 8GB flash drives to hit $15.

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